red light vs white light

[greytmommy]

we have a white light in the brooder right now. It stays on all the time b/c temps have been pretty cold here...

I am conserned that this will mess up thier night/day cycle. Is this a valid concern? I though my hubby had grabbed a red light, but he didnt. Might be able to get to the store tonight, but more than likely it will be Sat at the earliest. Do I really need too? Or are they fine w/ the white light?

 

[mdbokc]

I have used white lights all the way down to when they need no supplemental heat. I have never had a problem. There is enough space for them to be in shadows or choose where they want to be..full light, partial light, shadows...they choose. I have enough room in mine that they don't feel pressed for space either. I keep a couple thermometers, one at the edge of the light (my target temperature) and one completely out of the direct light. I control my temps with these two readings. This way, they have target temps, higher and cooler temps to choose from for their comfort. They use all three zones.

 

[debid]

People use both with success so I don't think it matters all that much. The red can be helpful if you have problems with them picking at each other but if they're doing fine, I'd leave it alone. When they get enough feathers that they don't need the light as often, you can shut it off periodically to get them used to the idea of darkness being OK.

 

[chickintexas]

I've had picking problems in the past so I always start off with a red light until they are a bit older. Then I'll change over to a white light. My chicks have plenty of room in their brooder so they can go to cooler spots if they get too warm.

 

[greytmommy]

ok, thanks guys!

they have plenty of room, so yah they move all over to bask in the sun for a bit, then move to a cooler area, ect.....

When they get bigger and it gets warmer here, I will turn off the light to teach them about darkness....thanks for the tips!!!

 

[saladin]

Personally, I would never use a white light. Just because someone has not had problems doesn't mean they will not start.

A red light helps tremendously with cannibalism. Cannibalism is not necessarily a space issue; don't be fooled by such a thought. Chicks can have plenty of space, be doing fine today and start picking one another tomorrow. If they ever see blood on another chick, which they will in the white light, they will turn cannibalistic in a heart beat.

A red light is just safer; consider it preventive health care.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

The only times I have ever used a red light was when I felt the need for one of the big 250w IR bulbs. That has been fairly seldom.

Except for those times all I have used are white bulbs. And then only for as long as they need the heat which is mostly to about four weeks, sometimes as much as five. Once they no longer need supplemental heat I turn the bulb off at night. They pick up on natural day/night pretty quick.

 

[speakup4kids]

I have two lamps and just use white during the day, red at night. The chicks seem to be a lot quieter that way and I am all about quiet chicks since I am currently sleeping in the same room as four of them!

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I always play it safe with everything involving my chickens so I use a red light. I had to use a white light when my red went out and they were fine for that day and could be fine if it was always white but why not use red, the bulb is the same price or sometimes a couple dollars more and they use the same amount of electricity.

 

[jtbrown]

I switched to a red light after reading that maybe the chicks slept better. It is just as easy to maintain the heat and the chicks all quieted down and slept within minutes of red light in place. For me, they seem more restful, but they are only 5 days old, and I am new at this, so it could be a developmental thing too.